Several studies have suggested ways to unclog traffic when State Road 248 is congested.
Citizens can comment to the Park City Council about which improvements should occur at a public hearing Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Park City Library and Education Center.
“We’ve talked about this on several occasions and this is an opportunity for people to come give public comment before the plan is adopted,” Park City Manager Tom Bakaly said. “There has been some involvement, but we hope people come out and give us their comments on Thursday.”
With its corridor plan, City Hall will advise the Utah Department of Transportation about needed upgrades on S.R. 248, which is a state road, Park City Transportation Manager Kent Cashel said.
“People just want us to do something, and they want a plan,” Cashel said in a telephone interview Tuesday.
He hopes a park-and-ride lot at Quinn’s Junction helps remove single-occupant vehicles from busy morning and afternoon commutes.
Success of the lot, however, depends on those who park there having efficient public transit into Park City to avoid traffic delays, Cashel said.
“I think we’re looking at a different approach,” he said about lanes in the plan designated for buses and carpoolers. “I think it will carry a lot of weight (with UDOT.)”
One option considered for the entryway involves reversible lanes that would allow another lane of traffic inbound or outbound depending on the time of day. The alternative contemplates carpool and bus lanes. Under each option S.R. 248 could become four lanes.
“Our hope is that we can do it within the existing footprint,” Bakaly said about the city’s desire to upgrade the road without widening it.
According to Cashel, “there was a big desire not to tear up the mountainside.”
About 35 people recently attended an open house in Park City to discuss the work.
“The public, generally, is kind of quiet on these things until they get up and going, and this is that call,” said Cashel, who encouraged people to attend this week’s hearing. “It’ll be a last chance, before the plan is adopted, for the public to provide its input.”
A traffic consultant’s Web site discusses the pros and cons of the options and provides details at www.sr248parkcity.com. The reversible-lane option would accommodate a bicycle lane and a shoulder on the side of the road, according to the Web site.
The carpool-lane option could handle traffic through 2020, the Web site states.
S.R. 248 is especially clogged in Park City and Summit County during the morning and afternoon rush hours.